As I woke up this morning, however, I realized I’m in no mood to be funny. All I could think about were the poor souls about to swap feasts of turkey and family for fancy coupons and long lines hangin’ with rude people. And that’s before Friday even hits!

Bah humbug.

So I was relieved when I sat down at my desk to see a memo from the higher ups demanding that I share it with you. Whew – off the hook! Here’s what the note said:

Dear Budgets Are Sexy readers,

This is J. Money, CEO of Sexy University. By now I’m sure you’ve read the 1,008 articles on the merits of Black Friday, and are excited about the $$ you’ll be saving after all that spending (huh?). This is a friendly reminder of corporate policy:

You may not, in any circumstances, buy anything that does not involve financial education this weekend. This includes TVs, toys, CDs (is it Dave Ramsey?), clothes, candy, blow up dolls, or any other miscellaneous tchotchkes.

We are sick and tired of constantly being left out of these savings frenzies, and it’s high time to send these faceless corporations a message:

FINANCE LOVERS DESERVE COUPONS TOO!

How will we get this message across? By purchasing as many personal finance related items as possible so demand rises and everyone’s thus treated fairly in all future years. If money will be spent, it shall be for the greater good of our loved ones’ wallets, dammit!

I have attached with this note a box of all approved objects that fit this strict code. If any reader is caught purchasing anything different this Absence-of-Color Friday, they will be punished to the fullest extend of Financial Law. And the real naughty ones will get letters sent to Santa telling him so too (oooooh).

Ear Phones (This one surprised me, but when I put them into my ear I heard that soothing voice of Joe Saul-Sehy from The Stacking Benjamins podcast and realized it was a reminder of all the kick-ass podcasts there are out there available for download 24/7. Also gratis!)

Lastly, “The box” from the Grammy nominated “Cash In a Box” single was in there as well. A reminder that you can always just, *ahem*, put your cash in a box.

And that was that…

I’m actually quite impressed. My boss is usually quite boring around the holidays – he must have started on the eggnog early! I kinda agree with the sentiment though…

Why do we money lovers always get the shaft every year at these blow out sales? When was the last time finance books were 80% off? Or debt balances cut in half? Or better yet, deeply discounted stocks and houses??

Oh wait…

Uhh, gotta get back to work – see ya!

——–Hat tip to the Beautiful Jenny Blake for inspiring this post… One look at that mug and I was sold.

The Official List of Allowed Purchases This Black Friday was last modified: August 30th, 2017 by J. Money

Jay loves talking about money, collecting coins, blasting hip-hop, and hanging out with his three beautiful boys. You can check out all of his online projects at jmoney.biz. Thanks for reading the blog!

Hah! Glad to see the return of Cash In A Box–the all time best PF self-made video about cash going into a box ;)!

I’m not a fan of Black Friday in the least. I don’t enjoy shopping to begin with, so the thought of leaving my cozy home & family (and Frugal Hound!) to elbow strangers for a so-called “deal” is basically my worst nightmare. But I am a fan of your approved gifts, especially the mug (hope Mr. FW isn’t reading this because that might be his Christmas gift…)

I don’t get Black Friday – perhaps because I’m Canadian, and it isn’t linked to a holiday like it is in the U.S. Even though I’m not in the States I still got a smoking deal last year on my parents Christmas gift, all from the comfort of my office… 65% off a top-of-the-line Keurig on amazon.

Yes, I acknowledge I shouldn’t be perpetuating the “great deals” on Black Friday, but I don’t think my parents will appreciate a box with a hole cut in it.. just saying.

Haha… I’m all for getting great deals when it’s something you’re already going to buy :) I actually don’t even mind going out on Black Friday (later in the afternoon) just to people watch – it’s crazy out there!

I know during 4th of July, Capital One 360 has a promo called “We The Savers” and they give all kinds of gifts for financial minded people. Too bad it’s during the one holiday when everyone is at the beach and doesn’t have internet access!!

I am all about visual goals, so last year my wife bought me fake $1 million dollar bills in the amount that we need to be completely financially free. My sister is crafty, so she organized them in a frame and I have it hanging in my office. It’s a constant reminder to make smart money choices and to not get caught up in the emotion of buying stuff.

Love the list, didn’t know there was a sexy university?! As a Eagles and Packers fan I understand your dislike for the Cowboys and there overspending billion dollar ways, it’s just not frugal, I’m sure that’s why we both dislike them.

Though we don’t celebrate US TG (we get it 1 month earlier, woot woot), Canadians are now also inundated with Black Friday deals…some of which started two weeks ago?! I can’t figure it out.

Anyway, great ideas…especially the books ;).

We’ve given up gifting at Christmas, so I won’t be going out there…for anything, but I do enjoy the people watching if I am out and about for anything else. I find it amazing how the behaviours exhibited from now until December 25th do not match it being the “most wonderful time of the year”.

Whew, I just bought headphones recently because my others ones were completely falling apart. Now I can listen to finance related podcasts again when I run. I think I’ll borrow the books from the library though. Even better!

Hah! Funny enough I just read something saying how horrible it was! At least in the investing part of it… Interesting how people’s opinions can differ so much. Guess I’ll have to check for myself now, eh? :)

You’re forgetting THE BEST financial book out there, Train Your Way to Financial Fitness, written by a smart but blonde friend of yours. AND it just got picked up by a Vietnamese publisher so look for it in Vietnam in 2015. :-)

This post is awesome. I *never* shop Black Friday, but this year I made an exception and shopped the Goodwill pre-Black Friday 50% off sale and scored 3 signed copies of finance books I’ve been meaning to read: Suze Orman’s “Women and Money,” Rich Dad Poor Dad, and Meg Whitman’s “The Power of Many,” for a whopping $5 total. Now, which one to read first?… :) Happy Thanksgiving, J!

Love this list! The Millionaire Next Door is my personal favorite finance book, I’ve probably read it at least ten times. I Will Teach You to be Rich is a great one too ! I also love Rich Dad Poor Dad.

The list is decent, I could have suggested additional items like the secret hidden safe you posted a while back. Now that was a cool gift. I wonder who will be the lucky winner of the cash in the box makeshift piggy bank. That thing is super (not ) cool.

The Millionaire Next Door audible version is free if you sign up for a free trial at Audible. I commute an hour each way to work, might as well listen to something that can help my financial situation.

I’ve experienced black friday a couple of times and I won’t do it again. None of the deals are worth fighting traffic, crowds, lines, the cold, and missed sleep. I think most people know this, but do it for the experience. An example I saw recently was a guy who started camping outside Best Buy 2 weeks before black friday, just to score $100 off a new iPad.

I do get the experience thing though. I’ve done it a few times in my youth (waking up early, like back when it was 6am or 7am, haha…) but now I have my kids to amuse me. And anytime they act up I can put them in time out ;)

I only shop for myself on Black Friday (online only!) or Cyber Monday. Last year I got a killer deal on bras from Kohl’s, and this year I am working on replacing some outdoor gear (hiking boots, climbing shoes, multi-day backpacking pack) and a face product I like from The Body Shop.

P.S.
I have a travel/adventure blog I started from my cross country vanning road trip!

Love the memo, that’s awesome, and the list, even better! I don’t get Black Friday or Boxing Day for Canadians, the sales are not sales any more and the retailers just have special crap made for these days. Usually its junk.
I was surprised to get an email from Questrade today for Black Friday and 50% commissions if you bought gold or silver. Irrelevant to me but at least they’re trying…LOL!

Dannng you got me excited about the chance of buying silver or gold coins themselves for 50% off! Haha… That would be something else allowed from my boss too ;) You gotta take discounted investments anywhere you can get them!

LOL Well, we’re buying a chest freezer so we can store some bulk beef. Definitely a savings as considering how much beef we will eat. I love me some steaks! Plus it’s only $100 at HH Gregg, and it’s on sale today, Thanksgiving, when we don’t have any family coming over!

I bought two sweaters at Old Navy for $30 (that’s the total including our crazy almost 10% sales tax in TN) late in the day. I am a big fan of small business Saturday though. Gotta support the little guy in my little town to reinforce the local economy. Also – they usually carry way cooler stuff :)

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I, J. Money, only claim the thoughts from my head. I am not a banker, CPA, money manager or anything else of that sort. Please seek a professional for any "real" advice. More info: privacy & disclosure page